Northampton man who took ‘risk’ of driving after night out drinking given one-year ban

Callum Jones

A 22-year-old Northampton man who had “six beers” on a night out and then attempted to drive four friends home has been banned from driving for a year.

Luis Braga-Fernandes, aged 22, of Swale Drive, Kings Heath, Northampton, was stopped by police in Barrack Road at 4.45am on May 21.

Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard Braga-Fernandes had been to the NBs nightclub in Bridge Street earlier in the night.

A breathalyser test revealed he had 46 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Representing himself, Braga-Fernandes said he had “two beers” at home and then “four more” in the nightclub but thought he had “left it long enough” before he got in his Seat Leon car to drive his four friends home.

Braga-Fernandes admitted that his actions had been “irresponsible.”

Deputy District Judge Ruth Fudge said Braga-Fernandes he had put himself, his friends and other road users at risk by getting in his car.